BP Log Book Challenge

When one searches on the web for how to challenge their youth to make a memorable trip to a log book located on a lake named after our founder Baden Powell, the Internet wasn't exactly full of detailed information. This webpage hopes to provide some recent information that makes for a safe and challenging trip either as Scouts or Venturers.

The BP Lake was named in 1969 and a log book was placed there by Scouter Don Ecclestone of 76B Scout Troop, London, Ontario. The original case has been sealed at the site, however a second waterproof case contains numerous interesting items as seen in the photos (don't forget to leave your Group badge as a lasting memory!). One item is the map on how to get there! I suppose, before the Internet, it was hard to circulate such a document and have it live on forever. The 1st Cannington Troop arrived a day before us, although in recent years there have been few entries.

As Scouts, the more traditional route is to canoe via Blue Jay lake. This lake is typically reached from the Canoe Lake access point. Scouters are encouraged to plan a trip to suit the time and abilities of their participants. A loop involving Vanishing Pond might be possible earlier in the season, although on our recent trip in early August, 2013, the whiteboard at the Canoe Lake check-in stated words to the effect, "Vanishing Pond has vanished!"

The original map describes how to get to the location.

The coordinates on the map, and seen on the official lake naming document, is 45 degrees 39 minutes, 78 degrees 41 minutes. Currently, Google places that somewhere in the middle of Burnt Island lake! The actual coordinates are approximately: 45.643512°, -78.680745° ;-)

Alternatively, there is a more challenging way for Venturers to get to the log book. It involves an hour or two of bushwhacking from Burnt Island lake. As we found out on our trip, the sites on the southwestern part of the lake are very popular, and depending on your arrival day/time, you may not be able to get a site close to BP lake. On our second day on the lake, we changed sites and were within 1 km of the log book. The terrain is not as easy as one might expect. Be sure to bring all the necessary safety equipment! Once arriving at BP lake's eastern edge, there is the choice of swimming across with a PFD, or continuing on foot around the northern shoreline.

Know your limits...prepare for adventure!

1st Kanata Venturers

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